Mona Hussein-Positive and Negative Paravent

At Design Interviews

Interview with Mona Hussein : Frank Scott: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?. Mona Hussein : To create an adjustable and mobile barrier for privacy that does not protrude or disrupt a space. The Islamic motif gave me this lace-like effect as well as reversing the solid areas on each side carries out exactly the feel i want and expect from as the function of a paravant. .Frank Scott: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?. Mona Hussein : A product that serves as function and beauty simultaneously, spiced with a hint of culture and roots. .Frank Scott: What are your future plans for this award winning design?. Mona Hussein : I want to explore more products and designs that follow the story of my vision. The concoction consists of a hint of heritage brewed with a pinch of modernity and melted into contemporary material. .Frank Scott: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?. Mona Hussein : It came quite spontaneously, I have always been in love with this pattern but i wanted to give it a more contemporary figure. .Frank Scott: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?. Mona Hussein : This specific paravant is dear to me, because it came so easily and was produced like it was meant to be. I was fiddling around with the pattern until it turned into what it is today. Kind of like a mild serendipity. .Frank Scott: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?. Mona Hussein : It is only sold at our store, and we have full production rights over it. .Frank Scott: What made you design this particular type of work?. Mona Hussein : My whole shop called Mahally, meaning &#039;local&#039; and &#039;my shop&#039; in Arabic, is based on traditional motifs modernized. .Frank Scott: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?. Mona Hussein : Old Islamic architecture. .Frank Scott: Who is the target customer for his design?. Mona Hussein : Anyone who appreciates good long lasting design. I do not like things that are not timeless. .Frank Scott: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?. Mona Hussein : My story. Every product i design has a story and has an idea behind it that shapes and defines what it is. Like people, if they&#039;re full of life it makes them more admirable. Always have a story behind your concept. .Frank Scott: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?. Mona Hussein : The pattern is used twice on the paravant, once where the pattern is emptied and the other where it is filled, &#039;Positive and Negative&#039;. Similar to the yin yang, always a little good in the bad and always a little bad in the good. .Frank Scott: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?. Mona Hussein : Corian and laser cutter. .Frank Scott: What is the most unique aspect of your design?. Mona Hussein : The mixture between the patterns and the material- they have so much chemistry. .Frank Scott: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?. Mona Hussein : Yes of course, the manufacturers. .Frank Scott: What is the role of technology in this particular design?. Mona Hussein : The corian is a modern material, a durable one which is my favorite thing, you can place it indoors and outdoors and no harm would be done to it as it is a non-porous material. .Frank Scott: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?. Mona Hussein : Islamic architecture is a hobby of mine. .Frank Scott: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?. Mona Hussein : Surprisingly, none, it was one of the smoothest projects i have worked on. Especially as it was designed and produced during the time of our revolution in Egypt, so i felt like it was a blessing that we won an award. .Frank Scott: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?. Mona Hussein : I always wanted to submit my design to A&#039; Design Award but did not ever follow through, but this award gave me a push and i am encouraging my designers to do the same. .Frank Scott: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?. Mona Hussein : That i have a passion for product design. .